Francis Collins, co-founder of the human genome project, responsible for mapping the human genome wrote along similar lines in his book The Language of God.
“Will we turn our backs on science because it is perceived as a threat to God, abandoning all the promise of advancing our understanding of nature and applying that to the alleviation of suffering and the betterment of humankind? Alternatively, will we turn our backs on faith, concluding that science has rendered the spiritual life no longer necessary, and that traditional religious symbols can now be replaced by engravings of the double helix on our alters?
Both of these choices are profoundly dangerous. Both deny truth. Both will diminish the nobility of humankind. Both will be devastating to our future. And both are unnecessary. The God of the Bible is also the God of the genome. He can be worshipped in the cathedral or in the laboratory. His creation is majestic, awesome, intricate and beautiful - and it cannot be at war with itself. Only we imperfect humans can start such battles. And only we can end them.”
― Francis S. Collins, The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief
Well, he's getting old you know. There is a great deal of respect that comes from an atheistic worldview in the realm of the science community. And sometimes Christians are viewed in a odd or suspicious way in the scientific community. But it is interesting to note that a 2009 Pew survey conducted in cooperation with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) found that 51% of scientists believe in some form of deity or higher power. [source]
Yet in a similar way, the religious community responded at times to science with hostility and rejection. What could have been welcomed, was at times turned away. An unnecessary divide was built between science and faith. Now we live in the result of that divide. As science grew, flowered, blossomed, cured diseases, prevented illnesses, religion looked more and more hokey and backwards. That never had to happen, but it did, and here we are.
But I would like to step out on behalf of modern Christianity and say to all the scientists out there: I'm sorry. I love science. It's awesome. Religious leaders of the past shunned you and wronged you, and I'd just like to say I'm sorry. I love science. I love God. I love both. I tend to agree with Dr. Francis Collins view on God when he said, "God is an excellent mathematician and physicist."
